Work local

The Internet takes us everywhere including enabling us to find customers for what we write. But don't neglect your own backyard. Your local library or libraries may have a notice-board or place for pamphlets. Ask first of course but why not a notice or flyer advertising your services. You could help with family-history or ghost write a book about someone's life. You could even create a poem for someone's birthday. Make yourself known, Your next customer may live next door.

Ezines

An ezine or electronic magazine is great. No paper, envelopes or postage. It lands on the computer screen of anyone who subscribes. Many groups send their newsletters electronically these days.
I have an ezine called Showbuzz with articles and photos about plays and musicals. I include music and drama games and tips for directors of shows. I even add news on my latest projects.
Showbuzz is a free monthly magazine sent from my computer to your computer.
You can subscribe from my web page at www.foxplays.com
You'll be most welcome.

Have keyboard will write

There are people who want a writer and will pay for their services. All sorts of people want all sorts of writers. All you, the writer need do is find that buyer and convince them that you are the one.
You could put an ad on the Net or in your local library or you could join some of the freelance writing sites on-line.
For starters you could Google freelance writing or go directly to www.rentacoder.com.
If you want to write to sell, take action then persevere.

History Is Cool

I know this blog is about making money from writing. But here's a good exercise. Notate, record, write your family history. Not a huge tome, although that's not necessarily a no-no. Put on paper a family story. Something your parents told you. Something you did with your grandparents when you were a little kid. Save it, save it, save it.

This writing activity is easy in that it's first-hand stuff. It keeps your writing going. Writing something every day is a great habit to have. And in years to come, it may be priceless to someone else even whole generations.

Radio Plays

Today I went to a radio play competition. Ten-minute plays performed before an audience. The plays were recorded and are to be broadcast on several radio stations in the next few weeks. What a fantastic way to get your writing heard by a large number of people.

Of course there's an art to writing radio plays but my point is there are many radio stations which would love to broadcast some cracking good radio shows. No scenery, costumes or make-up.

I can help you get started if you want ideas or guidance. You could be a broadcast playwright in no time at all.

Free Writing Tips

There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of web sites which aim to reach writers. Some offer free ezines. One I've found helpful is by Rob Parnell of Adelaide, Australia. He is consistent in sending his newsletters, they contain practical tips and ideas and he promotes eBooks and courses for writers. The best part is the ezine is free as are a number of articles found on his web page. He promotes himself under the banner of The Easy Way to Write. Mind you after 40 years of writing I've never found writing easy but Rob's newsletters are well worth considering.

http://easywaytowrite.com/free_newsletter.html

Small is Good

So you want to write a novel or full-length play. I can recommend How To Write a Damn Good Novel by James Frey. Full of practical tips. But don't neglect writing something small. There are play competitions for very short plays and short stories are in demand from many publishers.

It may not take nearly as long to write something small but the challenge to create something good is still there. So give short plays and stories a go.

I call very short plays Pennyweight Plays and have published four volumes at foxplays.com. Read some of my samples, see the formula and consider giving them a go. I'm happy to advise if you want another opinion of your work.

Be Specific

My latest book is called Many Monologues and contains a series of short speeches which can be performed as monologues. There is a specific market for this type of writing. Actors wanting a speech for auditions, teachers looking for material they can use in drama classes and anyone hunting material for a concert or drama camp.
The more specific you make your writing, the better things become. You can nail down your market, produce tight writing and have a better chance of selling it.
I plan to publish Many Monologues in August 08 and details will appear here and on my web page at foxplays.com.
Before you write, list the specific nature of your work and then see the benefits.

Love or Money

There may be two types of writers; those who write for love and those who write for money.
Some writers create for their own pleasure and don't show their work to anyone. Some will show it to others but never seek publication. Then there are those who want to be published and thus earn money.
I'm one such writer. But if you do attract sales from your writing, the key issue is how much and how often.
Making a living from writing may take skill, luck and perseverance or all three.
This blog is about what I write and how I promote and sell it. The methods have worked for me and may well do likewise in your writing career.
Feel free to use my marketing and writing ideas. And please post your thoughts and requests.
Whilst I concentrate on plays, musicals and fiction and non-fiction books, I'm always willing to try something in a different genre. Welcome aboard.